Successfully blending genres is a tough task, but Monster Train makes it look easy. Addictive rouge-like card-based gameplay with a presentation that is second-to-none.

It’s extremely charming, and completely captures the Iyashikei ‘slice-of-life genre, particularly in the personality of the town’s characters and how they interact with one another, yet also beckon you into that same world.

An already outstanding title can now be taken natively on the go, has all additional content bundled in it, and now possesses new modes to make the game more approachable to all. Final Fantasy VII Remake was a sensation in 2020, and it’s only better now in 2026.

The best game in the franchise, The Beast brings all the best parts of the previous two Dying Light games together into one irresistible, blood-soaked package.

Fantasian feels at home on console, Sakaguchi and Uematsu are completely at home with Square-Enix, and players will feel like they’re going on a journey home to their nostalgic 90s era as they delve into the game. Fantasian is an inspired mobile effort that is now better than ever in the form of Neo Dimension.

Tony Hawk meets Max Payne in this glorious sci/fi sports title that is sure to get its hooks into you and never let go. Wholly unique and utterly engaging, Rollerdome is a blast.

It’s a refreshing change compared to other entries I’ve played in and around the genre and one that ensures I’ll keep coming back to Descenders regularly for the foreseeable future. After all, a few more runs and I might just be able to make it through the forest completely unscathed.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn really set the gears in motion for a genre. Since the first launch of this game in 1995, a lot has changed and this title has been staunch in both keeping to its roots and also making some needed changes to modernise the game.

Against the Storm is nothing short of a revelation. The perfect marriage of a City Builder with a Roguelike and a game that is sure to become your next addiction.

Demonschool is a perfect mix of all the things I love - cheesy retro horror, tactics-based role-playing, kicking bad guys in the face, and hot characters I can chat up. What’s not to love?

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is every bit the shining gem in the PS5 launch crown. There are a couple of extremely minor drawbacks in the form of a sometimes-cluttered screen, the sense of humour taking more of a backseat, and some very rare crashes, but Rift Apart delivers one of the strongest entries in the franchise to date.

Mafia 2: Definitive Edition is the best way to play one of the most enthralling stories of the past decade. A wonderful upgrade for a wonderful title, don’t miss it.

Though only an evolution and not a further revolution to the Spider-Man formula, Miles’ journey is full of heart, is riveting to play through and a joy to just kick back and immerse yourself in.

Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is a sensational product, a love letter to some of the most iconic encounters in history, and a wonderful playing experience. The game has continued to improve and expand with each DLC, and the newest slice of content to come with the Anniversary Edition makes this Age of Empires IV package even more enticing to explore.

Rather than burn me out, Hanger 13 has done a fantastic job overhauling the original Mafia while staying true to its spirit in this remake which has left me itching to fire up Mafia II Definitive Edition – so do yourself a favour and pick up the trilogy set if you haven’t already.

A massive return-to-form and a huge step forward for the annual series, Black Ops 6 is the best that COD has been this generation by quite some way.

Scars Above is AA game design at its absolute best. A tight Sci/fi adventure that is perfectly paced and entertaining from start to finish. Proof positive that a smaller, tighter scope is often a wiser road to success in the world of video games.

Tripwire has crafted a fantastically balanced experience that knows when enough is enough and is genuinely funny, something many games aim for but so few succeed in reaching. Maneater is an ideal palate cleanser for those suffering from ‘open-world’ fatigue and, despite its perfect size, still left me wanting more.

Sand Land is aesthetically beautiful despite its largely brown setting, and clever despite its absurdity. It offers charming characters, engaging customisation systems, and a world that expands on Akira Toriyama’s original vision. It knows what it is and embraces it fully, and that makes it one of the year’s most surprising gems.

An excellent game in its own right, and one of the PSP’s best, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII’s remaster stands shoulder to shoulder still with some of the best and most enjoyable JRPGs of the modern day. There are certainly some aspects that have aged poorly in relation to other aspects, but the core pillars of the experience sing as loudly and as strongly as they ever have. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII was already one of the great JRPGs, and a major player in advancing the genre, but now, 15 years on, it’s still right up there with the very best. With Final Fantasy VII hype greater than perhaps it has ever been, now is absolutely the time to check out this all-important prequel chapter.

A stone cold classic has returned looking and playing better than ever before. Age of Mythology is a must play for all strategy fans and the perfect example of how to re-release a 20+ year old game.

Some minor imperfections hold Monster Hunter Wilds back from reaching its next level potential, but players will still have plenty to celebrate with this latest franchise epic.

With the Dead Space remake, we have a very faithful and utterly stunning recreation of the original genre-leading masterpiece. Little has changed apart from presentation aspects and while some may feel that is a missed opportunity, I am more than happy to re-experience this classic title as it is.

Trails Through Daybreak both refines and expands the series’ formula to produce one of the years best JRPG’s, providing a sorely needed entry point after concluding the Crossbell/Cold Steel heptalogy.

It’s Pikmin 3, a pretty great game from 2013 with pretty minimal additions, but that won’t matter as it’s now on a system that a lot of people actually own.

Tales Of Arise is a treat for fans of the franchise, but also an excellent jumping-on point for franchise newcomers.

The lack of War Of The Lions additions holds back the game from being the perfect re-release, but nonetheless, Final Fantasy: The Ivalice Chronicles is still a pre-eminent title in the Tactical RPG sub-genre, and cannot possibly be missed if you have even a passing interest.

Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is a remake that builds on the original in all the right ways, and is recommended for anyone looking for a quaint, charming farm story to sink some time into. In some ways it may be shallow and a little outdated, but overall it makes for a lovely experience.